本篇为 2018年3月 上海高级口译考试真题，文章 Cigarette 和 New Media。

1803 - Cigarette Smoking

Cigarette smoking is the greatest preventable cause of illness and death in Britain. It is associated with around1 10,000 premature deaths and an estimated 50 million lost working days each year, and costs the National Health Service an estimated 210 million a year for the treatment of related diseases, for example, heart disease, lung cancer and bronchitis. In addition, smoking by pregnant women can cause low birth weight in infants and other natal problems. The Government is following an active health education policy supported by voluntary agreement s with the tobacco industry aimed at reducing the level of smoking.

The Government also supports the work of the voluntary organization Action on Smoking and Health whose services include a workplace services consultancy, offering advice and help to employers in formulating anti-smoking policies. The Government is committed to creating a smoke-free environment, with facilities where appropriate for those who wish to smoke, and has published a code of practice on smoking in public places.

Health authorities have been asked to promote non-smoking as the normal practice in health service buildings and to give help and advice to people who want to give up smoking. The Independent Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health estimated that passive smoking, especially in the workplace and the home, may cause several hundred deaths through lung cancer every year.

Passive smoking, the inhalation of second-hand smoke, can increase a non-smoker's risk of getting lung cancer by a quarter, and may also increase the risk of cancers of the larynx (voice box) and pharynx (upper throat). Second-hand smoke can cause other health problems too. Every year, second-hand smoke kills thousands of people in Britain from lung cancer, heart disease, stroke and the lung disease-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Second-hand smoke is particularly dangerous for children. Children exposed to passive smoking are at higher risk of respiratory infections, asthma, bacterial meningitis and cot death. Second-hand smoke has been linked to around 165,000 new cases of disease among children in Britain each year. Almost 85 percent of tobacco smoke is invisible and smoke particles might also build up on surfaces and clothes.

1803 - New Media

W: Bill, I've got a question. What I don't really understand and nobody seems to be able to explain it to me is this: how are our lives any easier now than they used to be? Everything just seems to get more and more complicated.

M: Okay, Jane, I'll give you an example-take my iPhone 7. If I didn't have it I wouldn't be able to keep in close touch with my friends and colleagues.

W: What's wrong with writing email letters to them?

M: You mean sending email letters over the Internet?

W: Of course. I still write regularly to friends I've known for years.

M: And so do I, when I'm not pushed for time. But sometimes I need an immediate reply to a question. I can't wait, especially if I'm writing to someone in Australia or the Far East.

W: You could use the phone, couldn't you?

M: Well, I could, but it'd work out much more expensive and anyway I don't want a nice cosy chat with these people. I often just want the answer to a question.

W: Everyone's in such a hurry these days. They drive everywhere -- they don't even think of walking or cycling. It's no wonder they're stressed and overweight.

M: But cars save you so much time, I mean, to walk to work would take me 45 minutes, whereas I can just get in my car and be there in ten. Think of all the time you could save.

W: And what do you do with all that time you've managed to save?

M: That's the whole point-you've got a choice. You can do what you like-listen to music, watch a DVD, or surt the Internet and so on.

W: I'd have thought walking was more relaxing -- you haven't got to worry about being held up in traffic jams, or accidents or foul weather.

M: You've got a point there, Jane. Things are getting pretty bad on the roads at certain times -- people do get very stressed and irritated when they get held up.

W: But you still haven't told me what you do with all the time you've saved, Bill.

M: I suppose in the end you get more spare time for yourself -- time to go out and enjoy yourself: go to the gym to keep fit, watch TV, play computer games. Or you can chat to your friends on the phone or text someone on WeChat.

W: I don't understand. How do you text someone? Is it like writing an email letter?

M: Not really, Jane. To get onto the WeChat network, you need a suitable smart phone with app installed. You key your message into your phone and then send it -- you can send photos or videos as well. You can even become WeChat Out users to receive free calling credit. That certainly saves you a great deal of cash on phone bills.

W: Oh, stop, stop-it's all too much for me I think I'll just settle for what I've got.